"Just Numbers"

Yemen = 1,000+
Nepal = 5,000+
Iraq = 156,000+
Palestine = 200,000+
Syria = 215,000+

It's funny how those figures are only numbers to us; just big numbers. Those "numbers" are made up of peoples Mother's, Father's, Husband's, Wive's, PEOPLE'S CHILDREN. But that doesn't seem to bother us. We may feel sorry for them once in a while or even pity them for a bit, but that's about it. We have this way of living where nothing seems to affect us. Everyone seems to be overwhelmed with their own problems. But if we were asked to compare our problems with those hanging on to their lives I promise you, we would feel ashamed.
We create problems out of everything. Let me give you an example. Today out of all days your internet connection seems to have broken down, the next thing you know, your shouting through the phone at the poor guy on the other side whilst he is calmly telling you just to plug the wire in.
My Brothers and Sisters a person is dying every 3 seconds, right now as you are reading this a child is severely ill, a mother is crying whilst a father is severely wounded. Every night we return home to our comfortable beds with food in our stomachs, whilst our brothers and sisters starve to death. Are these people still "figures" in your eyes? Just a number on a screen? My Ummah what have we come to?
Their life is equally as important as your life. We are from a religion where our Prophet (SAW) said "An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety" (Musnad Ahmad). Why is it that we still discriminate against each other? That person suffering in Nepal may not be a Muslim, they may not be from similar backgrounds but are they not human? What makes them any different? A person in need is a person in need no matter where they from. Why can we not just accept that?
Sometimes we need to put our problems to a side and see the bigger picture. We need to start facing the reality. Me and you both know this world is not a peaceful place. People lose their lives because the Elite seem to have lost the capability of just using words. They have forgotten the act of being CIVIL towards one another.They think the use of violence is the solution to everything, whilst in actual fact all they are doing is destroying human lives.
These people silently suffer, nothing is what they have left. Whilst we on the other hand, take so many things for granted. Instead of looking down on these people we should be standing up for them. We should be their voice. We should be helping them rather than ignoring them. We should be praying for them rather than turning our backs on them. That mother who is crying could be our mother, that child who is dying could be our child. We need to be aware of this.
We as individuals may not be able to bring about change alone. But we as a whole can. If we put aside our difference and bring forward our similarities, a lot can be changed. At the end of the day, you are human. I am human. WE ARE ALL HUMAN! Once we learn to accept that, we will truly understand the concept of respecting each other. The concept of standing up for each other. The concept of being UNITED as one. The concept of being able to help one another.

Our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said "Whoever helps his brother in his time of need, Allah will be there in his time of need." (Saheeh Muslim)

To those who are suffering in Nepal, Syria, Iraq and many other countries in the world are hearts and prayers are with you.

O Allah! Give ease to those who are suffering and reward them with something far greater and unite this Ummah for the greater good. اللهم امين 

You are never ALONE...

I guess we as humans experience phases in our lives where we feel that we have hit rock bottom, everything seems to be falling apart; one by one. The people you once called your friends are people you would never want to associate yourself with. You start to lose people that you thought had your back. At school/work everything has become a struggle, nothing is going right. Life is not how you planned it and all you want to do is be alone. Shutting yourself out from the world seems what's best. You obviously do not want people asking what is wrong. Just thinking about it brings tears to your eyes imagine talking about it. You start to lose hope. You feel lonely. You feel no one can understand you. That is when the questions begin..

"Why is my life so messed up?" "Why can't I experience happiness?" "why am I alone?" and most importantly "what am I going to do?"

 You contemplate these questions over and over again but there is always the same outcome.You just seem to be stuck in this constant whirl of emotions and you do not see yourself getting anywhere. Not having the answers begins to lead to gradual break down.

What if I was to tell you there are answers to your questions. When you felt stuck, when you felt  no one could understand your situation, when no one sensed your pain, ALLAH WAS THERE. When you couldn't see a way forward, He could. When you didn't see your own worth, He did. when you couldn't figure out your way to happiness, He could show you.

You were never alone, you can NEVER EVER be alone. Allah is and will always be there. I say this without any doubt. Who can understand you better than the One that created you? 

He was there when that person turned their back on you, He was there when you lost that loved one, He was there when you were at breaking point. All you need to do is remember that. 

ASK ALLAH I promise you, He listens. Ask Allah sincerely, open yourself to Him.

When you make that same D'ua over and over again, Allah does not stop listening not even for one second. When you are needy with people they often become annoyed and it pushes them away, but when you are needy with Allah you become closer to your Creator. Allah never tires from listening to your pleas for help and forgiveness. Allah is there to answer your calls whether small or big.

Allah wants you to be specific in your D'ua. We were advised by our Prophet (SAW) to ask Allah for exactly what you want and not to be vague with your pleas. It was said by our Prophet (SAW) "D'ua is the essence of worship" (At-Tirmidhi)

Another important thing we need to come to terms with is after all we are human. Humans have major limitations. There are certain events and issues we as humans cannot prevent. We cannot control what happens to us. Allah does. We as humans are not able to comprehend His wisdom behind whatever it is that happens to us. We need to accept that Allah has already planned out our journey on this Dunya, yes at times there may be events that test you beyond any limits. But remember this is a way of bringing you back to your Master. There is no greater love in existence than the love Allah has for his creations. Allah knows what's best for you. 

Allah states in the Qu'ran "Do not be afraid; I am with you, all-hearing and all-seeing." (Qu'ran 20:46)

Just know whatever it is that you feel right now, there is a solution. Allah is ALWAYS there. Through the thick and the thin, through joy and through pain. Just remember the one that created you knows you best. Start with a simple supplication and I promise you Allah will put light in your heart and provide you with help in places you never expected. Have Tawaqal in Allah and NEVER become disconnected from your Master.

I pray that whatever difficulty that it is that you are facing, Allah provides you with a solution and may he remove all pain. اللهم امين 

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

Verily, With Every Hardship Comes Ease

(Ash-Sharh 94:5)

Who you really pleasing?

Its funny how we complain so much whilst we have sooo much. But the ones that don't have much don't complain as much. Probably everyone reading this has their fridges and cupboards stocked; enough food to feed a whole village. But if just milk runs out we act as if nothing else is there.

We've become so involved in this materialistic world, it is as if everyone has become indoctrinated. It's all about who has the best shoes, the latest phone or the biggest house. We spend money on things that we don't even need. Let me ask you a question, when you go out and i.e. buy the latest phone, keeping in mind there is nothing wrong with your previous phone. Are you buying that phone because you really need it or is it just another way to compete with others? To prove you can do better than them?

We compete for worldly needs when we should be competing for the Akhirah. In the times of the Sahabah (RA) Umar (RA) and Abu Bakr (RA) would constantly compete in ways of pleasing Allah. An example of this would be the the incident with the blind old lady. This was a women who did not get much help, so Umar (RA) would go in disguise to tend to any of her needs. But whenever he went he would find that someone else had beaten him to it. This happened on numerous occasions. Umar (RA) started to become curious. On one occasion he decided to come earlier than usual and hid whilst waiting upon this person. He did not have to wait long as there came none other than Abu Bakr (RA). 

Another incident is with regards to charity. As reported in Sahih of Al Bukhari, Umar (RA) said:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) commanded us to give in charity, and this coincided with my possessing some wealth. So I said (to myself): ‘If there is a day that I can better Abu Bakr (RA) then it is this one.’ So I went with half of my wealth and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked me, ‘What have you left for your family?’ I replied, ‘The same amount.’ Then Abu Bakr (SAW) came with everything that he possessed and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked him, ‘What have you left for your family?’ He replied, ‘I have left Allah and His Messenger for them.’ So I (Umar) said, ‘I will never be able to better you in anything!’ 

These people were the best of all people. These are the people we should be looking up to. These are the people we should aspire to be. Not those who have become blinded by the temporary bright lights of this Dunya and have become addicted to material consumption.

\Its seems to have become the norm for everyone to only be about themselves. There's only "Me, Myself and I." When was the last time we stopped for a homeless person, maybe even brought them food? When was the last time we helped out the elderly? Yes you may give charity here and then, it does not mean charity is only limited to your wealth. Just a smile could be counted as charity. But we've seem as we have forgotten this.

My Ummah this is a major flaw that we need to change. In the eyes of Allah we are equal. Allah does not judge us on how big our house is or how much our shoes cost. Allah judges us on our actions, on our intentions, on our sincerity. If this is how we are judged by The Almighty, then why is it that we live in a way of only wanting the praise of the people? In the way of only wanting the fame of this Dunya? 

My dear Brothers and Sisters, you and me are both aware that everything we have is temporary. We leave this world the same way we came in it. WE LEAVE WITH NOTHING! Let us invest our wealth, our time, our energy only in the ways of pleasing our Lord and not the people. 

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever sought the pleasure of Allah though it was displeasing to the people then Allah becomes pleased with him, and will make the people please with him, and whoever sought the pleasure of the people though it was displeasing to Allah then Allah becomes displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him." (At-Tirmidhi)

Oh Allah make us of those who only live in this world to only please you, and ONLY YOU. اللهم امين

The Beauty of Tunisia xxx

Temptation

The world is full of temptations, some worse than others. Its soo easy to get tempted.. I just pray that Allah (SWT) gives us the strenghth to remain steadfast and not fall for the fake bright lights of this temporary world. اللهم امين

Temptation, temptation, temptation 

something you cannot seem to escape. 

A never ending trail that leads to nothing more than regret and cries of help. 

Help from what you thought was only a mistake. Stopping just does not seem to be an option, 

for the bickering and snickering of the Shaytan just overtakes. 

your immediate gratification has become far more important than what really needs your faith. 

you have forgotten the existence of Allah, the All-knowing, the Most Great. 

My dear Brothers and Sisters we need to come back, back from being lost in utter corruption. 

This Dunya is not your home, but just a temporary satisfaction. 

If you truly feared Allah and thanked Him for what he gave, 

just the thought of the grave would make you think straight. 

But is this really the case? 

Have you forgotten that the end has to come? 

And nothing is what you become? 

Material consumption will not be a barrier of the coming of Malakul Maut,

 I promise you this is no assumption. 

Verily you know our Resurrection lies with that final judgement. 

Ya Ummati to Him we belong and to Him is our destination.

 So ask yourself today, are you really ready for what is your fate?

Or are you going to look pass this and act as if you are perfect without mistake? 

You may not see this upfront, but when the reality hits you, 

Do not say I did not warn you. 

For verily the greatness of the punishment is beyond any reaction. 

Temptation, temptation, temptation.

There is always an escape 

Return to your Lord, 

Do not hesitate. 

Itaqullah Ya Ibadi,

Do not let the Trickster lead you astray.